New health and safety laws come into action

his week has seen the new laws from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) come into play.

The new law is called The Fee for Intervention scheme, and is intended to stop ongoing arguments about waste collection methods.

Laws were passed back in July, but this is the first week that disciplinary action can be taken should any companies fail to comply.

Fee for Intervention now charges waste management and recycling companies (as well as other businesses) if they break health and safety regulations.

Waste collection companies could see themselves fined an hourly charge of £124 if they do not comply with the laws laid out.

They will continue to be charged until the situation is rectified.

Further instructions to waste management companies have been implemented today, including the thorough and proper separation of recyclable materials.

"Every waste collection authority must, when making arrangements for the collection of waste paper, metal, plastic or glass, ensure that those arrangements are by way of separate collection," the legislation dictates.

This is part of a constant battle to make the country more environmentally friendly.

HSE understands those who make honest mistakes, and has asserted that law-abiding companies will not face as severe consequences for unlawful actions. Were they to breach the rules, the sooner they remedy the problem the less they will be charged.

Geoffrey Podger, HSE’s chief executive, said on letsrecycle.com: "The most basic safety mistakes in the workplace can devastate lives and result in real costs to industry. It is right that those who fail to meet their legal obligations should pay HSE’s costs rather than the public purse having to do so."

Although this law does apply to all businesses, it is thought that the waste and recycling sector will be affected the most - as well as having to pay the most fines.

Not only is this because they work with the waste itself, but also because they have been deemed as somewhat of a problem area by the HSE.